Doncaster dad attacked for defending home town

Kate Mason

A Doncaster father was left fearing for his life after being attacked by a man in a taxi queue – for praising his home town.

Gary Brett, aged 55, was knocked unconscious and left with a three-inch cut on his head after the attacker disagreed that Doncaster was a good place to live.

Mr Brett, who moved to Doncaster from London 26 years ago, was explaining why he loved Doncaster to a couple in the Alpha Mini Cabs queue in Cleveland Street when the incident happened.

Mr Brett, of Diamond Jubilee Way in Edlington said: “I was having a nice chat with a couple who recognised my southern accent and asked me how long I’d been in Doncaster.

“I was telling them how much I liked it in Doncaster and saying that it was a great place to live. The next thing a big bloke in the queue turned round and started swearing and shouting saying how bad Doncaster was and getting violent.

“The next thing I knew I was on the floor covered in blood and I could hear people screaming, telling me to keep my eyes open.

“I did fear for my life. There was blood everywhere, I blacked out and when I woke up the paramedics were there.”

Lorry driver Mr Brett had to have the gash on his head glued at the hospital following the ordeal, which occurred in the early hours of Sunday.

He has been told he will be unable to work for at least a week.

He said: “I can’t drive so I can’t work at the minute.

“I’m still in shock, everyone is absolutely gobsmacked.

“The police still haven’t been out to see me, I think it’s disgusting.”

Mr Brett’s daughter Jessica has put out a Facebook appeal in a bid to catch the culprit.